Tips to Creating a Photographic Website

Tips to Creating a Photographic Website

Tips to Creating a Photographic Website

As the creator ofhttp://www.fatphotographer.net a global web resource for all things photographic, I like to think I know a few things about photography websites, well I know I have visited a huge amount in the last year (populating links takes a while), so here are my tips on what you should and shouldn't do when creating your photographic website.

A few dont's:

1) My biggest pet peeve on photography websites (and many others I have spoken to agree) is music on a site, it is very rare that it improves the enjoyment of your portfolio and in many cases will actually turn people off (I know it makes me instantly want to close the website). If you feel you must have it, please make it easy and obvious how to switch it off. Remember many people will surf the web whilst listening to music!

2) Generic website, such as those produced by Photium or Foliopic are great when you need a website, but after a while if you are looking at these websites they become very formulaic, if this is a website for your photography business then it is definitely worth investing in a professionally designed site, specific to your business.

3) Flash! And no I don't mean on your camera. Now while I understand it is a good way to prevent images being ripped off (although it isn't fool proof), it means people have to view your site how you want not how they do, and while as an artist this may sound good, it can become frustrating. Also with wrangles from Apple and Adobe ongoing many people will struggle to see your site. Flash has it's uses, but I would steer clear, HTML sites will always work, flash may not.

And a few Dos

1) Please put some indication of where you are based, many people want to find people local to them for photographic work, if they can't figure out where you are based you may either lose business or get calls from people that you can't help. It's a simple measure and will benefit you in the long run.

2) Use your best work, believe me you would be shocked by the amount of people who put some very poor images online, some may be low res but large size making them look blocky and poor, others are just not well composed, out of focus or with no real focus, this website will be your window display to the world, make it a good looking display.

3) Of the websites I have visited it is surprising how many don't actually mention the fact that a) they are a photographer or b) what they specialise in (this is mainly for professional photographers, but is a good idea for anyone), tell people who you are and what you do! It is also useful for Search Engine Optimisation to have the key words of your service repeated throughout your photographic website.

I have seen too many good photographers let down by producing poor photographic websites and it is a shame. Golden rules would be keep it simple and clean; black or white colouring (or other muted colours) are usually best, let you images do the talking, not over indulgent or garish colouring. But remember to select your best work, and let people know the photographer, as well as the work.

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